The Deal Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Ted Anthony, a veteran patent attorney with decades of experience advising founders, operators, and acquirers on intellectual property in M&A transactions. Ted breaks down how patents and trademarks actually function inside real deals and why IP should protect economic value, not be confused with creating it. This conversation covers: How patents show up in mi...

In this episode we sit down with David Podell , a specialist in advanced tax mitigation strategies for founders, partners, and closely held businesses. David breaks down how defined benefit and cash balance plans can be used as powerful tools for owners who are paying too much in taxes and want to build personal net worth outside of their business. This conversation covers: How high-performing com...

In this episode, we sit down with Brett Swarts , founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, to unpack how founders, investors, and advisors can exit assets without watching 20–50% disappear to capital gains taxes. Brett breaks down the Deferred Sales Trust and explains how it differs from traditional strategies like 1031 exchanges, why timing and flexibility matter more than ever, and how smart exits...

In this episode, we sit down with Rip Reeves , CEO of Institutional Investor , to unpack the evolution of global investing, asset allocation, and the allocator–manager ecosystem. Rip shares his journey from a first-generation college student in South Louisiana to Wall Street, portfolio management, and ultimately leading one of the most influential platforms serving CIOs, asset managers, and alloca...

In this episode, we sit down with Larry Attenhofer , a senior commercial banking leader at Hancock Whitney with nearly three decades of experience financing middle-market businesses. Larry walks through how banks actually underwrite deals, what separates strong borrowers from risky ones, and why relationships and communication matter just as much as financials. This conversation covers: How banks...

In this episode, we sit down with Andre Broussard, a seasoned CPA operating at the intersection of private equity, venture capital, and middle-market deal execution. Andre shares how he functions as a “CFO by the hour” for founders, operators, and investment groups and why accounting today is far more about psychology, judgment, and trust than debits and credits. This conversation covers: How CPAs...

In this episode host Josh Wilson sits down with CJ Miller , a transactional attorney who has built his career in the boardroom rather than the courtroom. CJ shares his journey from growing up in a small family business in South Louisiana to becoming a trusted advisor for banks, entrepreneurs, and middle-market companies. He explains what transactional law really looks like day to day and why helpi...

In this episode of The Deal Podcast , we sit down with Edward Bienvenu , a commercial banker based in Lafayette, Louisiana, to unpack how relationship-driven banking actually works at the community level and why some of the best deals are the ones you never do. Edward shares his unconventional path into commercial banking, starting in biology before realizing finance offered the right balance of s...

In this episode of The Deal Podcast , hosts Josh Wilson and Jude David sit down with Paul George , consultant, speaker, and host of The Paul George Show , for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, faith, business, and life after the exit. Paul shares his personal mission framework, “Love God, serve others, and die with no regrets,” and explains how a lack of personal clarity often leads to br...

On the show, we sit down with Lance Strother a coach, entrepreneur, inventor, man of faith, and lifelong developer of people. Lance is the kind of dealmaker who doesn’t just chase outcomes. He builds lives, teams, and cultures that last. Born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Lance shares how his journey through coaching, ministry, invention, and business shaped a philosophy that challenges how...

What separates a good deal attorney from a great one? In this episode of The Deal Podcast , hosts Joshua Wilson and Scott discuss the legal side of mergers and acquisitions with veteran corporate attorney Frank Slavich , who brings over 25 years of experience in corporate law, M&A, lending, and commercial real estate. Frank unpacks the real role of an M&A attorney: not to kill deals, but t...

In this episode of The Deal Podcast , Dan Daly shares his remarkable journey from selling cars on the wholesale lot to overseeing ultra-luxury brands like Bugatti and Bentley, and now leading a $50M international private equity fund focused on boutique hospitality properties. Dan dives into: How competitive discipline (like training for an Ironman) shapes success in business Lessons from the car s...

Inside a Real Deal Roundtable: Lessons from Thousands of M&A Transactions In this exclusive episode of The Deal Podcast , the FA Mergers team, Jude David, Scott Shea, Chase Kenner, and host Joshua Wilson, sit down for a raw, behind the scenes conversation about what really happens when a mid market business goes to market. Topics discussed: The biggest mistakes sellers make when approaching an...

In this episode of The Deal Podcast , host Joshua Wilson sits down with Philip Boggia to unpack an unconventional investing journey that began in federal law enforcement and evolved into a full-time life as a limited partner investor. Philip shares how a single conversation with a supervisor during a government shutdown led him to read Rich Dad Poor Dad , rethink assets and liabilities, and begin...

What happens when a CPA discovers his greatest strength isn’t crunching numbers? In this powerful interview, Catalyst Bank CEO Joe Zanco reveals how a mop, a moment of humility, and a mindset of ownership shaped his rise through the banking world to leading a NASDAQ-listed bank. Joe shares hard-earned lessons from 10+ M&A deals, the real reason banks sell, how employee ownership changes cultur...

In this episode, Blaise Zuschlag, EVP & Chief Administrative Officer of Acadian Companies, shares how a family-run ambulance service grew into a 5,000+ employee enterprise without losing its heart. Blaise walks us through: His pivot from JPMorgan to joining the family business The early days of Acadian Ambulance and a pivotal buyout decision How they use M&A to grow into new regions while...

In this episode, we sit down with William Kellner, a former college basketball coach turned commercial litigator and M&A deal attorney. Will brings a rare blend of courtroom experience, in-house legal strategy, and business-owner empathy. He shares the most overlooked threats in deal execution, what litigators know about deal structures gone wrong, and how his background in coaching shaped his...

What if your infrastructure wasn’t just a cost center but a source of recurring revenue? In this episode of The Deal Podcast , energy developer and fourth-generation entrepreneur Ken Bernhard breaks down how his firm is flipping the script on mechanical systems, turning legacy utility plants into modern revenue engines. Ken shares: How his family legacy sparked a new model for financing and operat...

In this episode of The Deal Podcast , Beau Bourque, President of Beacon Realty, breaks down exactly how he built a real estate deal pipeline from scratch using a laptop, an Excel sheet, and relentless drive. Beau started his business by targeting mobile home parks, an overlooked, fragmented niche and used consistent outreach to create opportunity where others saw none. Now, he’s expanded into indu...

In this powerful episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson sits down with former LSU basketball star turned business leader Collis Temple III for a raw and inspiring conversation on navigating transitions, building legacy, and the mindset of championship leadership. Collis opens up about his family’s legacy at LSU, how his father shaped his discipline from childhood, and the heartbreaking mo...

In this episode of The Deal Podcast , we sit down with Jeremy Roth and Hunter Thevis, co-founders of S1 Technology, to explore their rapid journey from startup to a thriving MSP (Managed Service Provider) with 45+ employees, operations in 30+ states, and a spot on the Inc. 5000 list. From a lunch meeting that sparked their partnership to multiple acquisitions and a nationwide footprint, this conve...

In this episode, we sit down with Thomas Hooks, General Counsel, Chief of Staff at Stately, and City Councilman in Lafayette, Louisiana to explore how legal, strategy, and leadership intersect in M&A and beyond. Thomas isn’t your average in-house attorney. With a background that spans industrial services, local politics, and private equity dealmaking, he brings a systems-thinking lens to every...

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Shea, a sell-side advisor, former family business operator, and recovering professional poker player who brings a uniquely grounded perspective to helping owners navigate the sale of their company. From growing up in an oilfield services family business to sitting across from buyers in private equity, Scott shares how poker taught him more about deals than b...

In this special episode of The Deal Podcast , hosts Joshua Wilson sits down with power couple Ashley David and Jude David, who are redefining what it means to chase dreams while keeping faith and family first. In Part 1, Ashley shares her deeply personal journey from stay-at-home mom of six to unexpected CEO of a faith-based jewelry company. From infertility and loneliness to discernment and divin...

In this episode, Ashley shares a powerful framework for discerning decisions in life and business one rooted in her faith. Instead of always searching for the perfect “yes,” she learned to pay close attention to God’s “no.” When things feel blocked, off, or unsettled, it’s often divine redirection not failure. Ashley recalls a moment of praying through every possible objection before stepping into...